Question about alternative routes to teaching certification in GA, TN, and NC....?

Question

I was wondering if anyone knew of the qualifications for someone looking to getting a teaching position in GA, NC, and TN without having formal education in teaching yet having a Bachelor's degree. Thanks!

Answer 1

Go to the Department of Education website for each state and look up certification requirements. There should be information listing how people with a B.A. and aren't education majors can obtain certification. Each state may handle this in different ways.
Try these links for:
GA: http://www.gapsc.com/TeacherCertification.asp
TN: http://www.tennessee.gov/education/lic/
NC: http://teach4nc.org/faqs/#altroutes
FL: http://www.fldoe.org/edcert/

Also Try: http://www.teacherscount.org/campaign/

The first year or two will be the most difficult. So, give yourself time and space to learn and adjust. Teaching is challenging and exhausting. If you sincerely love working with students, you will find that teaching is a rewarding career! Good Luck!

P.S. I just read the response from Wildrice. I totally disagree! There is such an epidemic teacher shortage that most states would welcome someone with a BA degree. (People don't realize that when the teaching positions aren't filled, the other teachers must have additional students added to their already overcrowded class, or the position might be filled with a long term
substitute that may (in some cases) have struggled to get out of high school.
Some school districts only require a substitute to have a high school diploma.

People who have had other college training and careers can bring a lot of different perspectives to education. You know what is required upon high school graduation to be successful in the world.

In addition each state will also give you a lot of support and training as you make the transition into teaching. There are many checks and balances to safeguard the new teacher and students during this time. You also, will have other teachers assigned to mentor you.

I would be thrilled for my daughter to have a teacher who has worked in the business world. As long as the teacher was compassionate, challenging and had a sincere desire to teach, I would be grateful!
GIVE IT A TRY! :0)

Answer 2

Regarding TN..it depends on what your BS is in. There are two teachers at my school on an Alternate license, a computer and art teacher. If you get the alternate license, it is good for two years during which time you have to take classes to earn your license. You get observed during those two years. Once you complete the ed classes, you get a probationary license. You get observed for three years after that. So a total of five years instead of the normal three for those that teach with a BS in
Education.
It is much easier to get the job if you find a school that needs you first. Start searching online in districts close to you for openings. Good luck.

Answer 3

in NC..... go to the nc dpi website

several rural districts will give you a social studies job based on a number of degrees. you can get a job and spend three years taking classes to get full certification. you still have to take the Praxis test if you want to keep teaching at the end of all of it or get interviewd by a veteran teacher

then regions of the state will have job fairs in june or so.

Answer 4

i understand your reason to teach but do you think it would be fair even if it is possible to teach without a teaching certificate? there are many different methods to teaching just as there are different ways of learning ,without knowing them you would not be able to educate the way you and the kids deserve since you already have a bacholers degree it wouldnt take that much longer to get your certificate , for your self and the kids please persue it i think you could be a great teacher good luck

Answer 5

Go to the Georgia Professional Standards Commission. They have all the information and links you need. Here is the address.
Good luck.

http://www.gapsc.com/TeacherCertification/Documents/routes.asp